hear、listen与overhear这些动词均含“听”之意。
hear : 及物动词，指声音进入耳内，但不含有注意的意味，即，只要听觉正常，声音进入耳内，就能听见。但在祈使句中，hear可指有意识的行为。
- She heard a noise outside.
她听到外面一阵嘈杂。 - My grandfather is getting old and can't hear very well.
我祖父上了年纪，耳朵听不太清楚。 - You'll have to speak up, I can't hear you.
你得说大声点，我听不见你。 - I heard/I could hear someone calling my name.
我听见有人喊我的名字。
listen : 及物动词，指有意识地倾听，强调行为的过程。
- What kind of music do you listen to?
你听哪一类的音乐？ - She does all the talking - I just sit and listen.
她一直在说——我只是坐在那里听。 - You haven't listened to a word I've said!
我说的话你一个字都没听！ - We listened in silence as the names of the dead were read out.
宣读死者的名字时我们都默默地听着。
overhear : 指偶然听到，无意中听到，也指偷听。
- I overheard a very funny conversation on the bus this morning.
今天早上我坐公共汽车时，无意中听到一段好笑的谈话。 - He overheard his daughter telling her doll not to be so naughty.
他碰巧听到女儿对她的毛绒玩具说别那么淘气。
